Ear-drum.



A. 0. LEONARD.

BAR DRUM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 19, 1908.

Patented Mar. 30,1909

Mf INVENTOA W/TA/ESSES: W W

ATTORNEY ASBURY O, LEONARD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EEEEf'DBU" lieai'ieg for these aiiiicted with deafness by supplying an eli'ective support and proteciJlOll iez. certain members of the car which have become displaced or diseased to such an extent to effect hearing, without meterially obstructing the entrance of sound. This object aceoiiipiislied by the construction illustrated in the accompan g drawings in Wliicli-- Figure l is apeiispective View upon an enlarged scale showing the invention; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, also upon an enlarged scale, and showing a partial View in section.

The numerals of reference in both views indicate corresponding parts, and referring now to the same; 1 is a hollcw sphere and composes the supporting member, and 2 is a funnel which intersects the sphere at its smaller end const-ilutiiw' an integral part thereof. Coincident Wit-ll the intersection of the furmel with the sphere is an opening leading from fills funnel into the sphere and ailor lmg. open communication from one to the other. This opening, designated by reference numeral 3, is of a size corresponding with the inner diameter of the funnel iisjuncture with the sphere.

The material of which this device is preferably iub'eei', which, when in 21eriual state, is somewhat pliable. The device is made of a size; which will admit of its insertion into the car without becoming materially compressed, and the Walls of the funnel and sphere are if a uniform thickness throughout. This material cf which the device made and the thickness itswalls such that the device readily yields to pressure, and in face it may lie etely collapsed and soiled betweeii the com; lingers sli lit pressuae, Willieuiv noplaced the tympanain and t filpecification of Letters Patent.

Applicasicn filed March 19; 15368.

Eatented March 36, 1969.

Serial No. i-22,121).

nel extends outwardly in the auditory canal. When the device is thus in position the ossicles oi ilie ear rest upon and are sup-f ported by the sellers resting upon the nae uial drum, and thus they are held more nearly in their natural positions.

The members of the ear naturally are cf a delicate nature, and an expedieiic oi? the class to which this invention belongs is necessai'ily fra for other "'ise its use "would be liable to result in injury. It is the surpass of this invention tc aliord substantial support for the ossicles and. 'tj inpajaum by means sufficiently delicate to insuie injury, and i have. found that by making the supporting iii-ei'nbe. spherical in. farm a greater supporting is obtained, ocusisteus with the delicacyof the structure, than if niiacle of the forms in coiiiiiaou if made spherical, the walls of the supporting member may lie thinn i:-

chose of other forms and still aiicrd the necessary support, because, being spherical it affords the greatest possible sustaining power. The thinner the wall 03. the supporting" member is, the greater the delicacy and effectiveness of the device providing 01? course the necessary support is maintained.

The funnel, extending in the auditory canal. prevents the supporting member-from turning and insures free communication through the opening 3 517cm. the outer eai to the interior of the supporliug member.

Ha v'ing described my invention What claim as new and desire to secure by Leifiim's Patent is:

1. A11 artificial ear-drum of the. class described, having at one end a supporting, snliere, and at she member of t'liefoi'm (if a 1 other end a funnel Whiz-3i uniiesat .Jits smaller end with said sphere, liieie an opening at the juncture of, the funiael and sphere which aifords open cciniuunicaiicn from the funnel to she interior of the sup porting member.

2. An artificial ass-drum of the class described,comprising a hollow spherical sup poriiiig member, and a funnel integral therewith, there being an opening at the juncture of the funnel and sphere which ijords 09cc ccn iicalion i'i'oii 'i-l'ie eel "lo the inieiici of the supporting member.

3. luau artificial ear-drum of the class described, a hollow spherical supi iortiug memberhavmg mea s of open. communicallO tion thereinto, and means in connection with the supporting member adaptecl to extend Within the auditory canal of the ear and maintain the supporting; member in normal position.

4. An artificial ear drum 011: the class described, comprising a thin pliable hollow sphere having an aperture affording means g of open communication through m the interior thereof In testimonywhereof zzflix. my

in presence of two Witnesses.

ASBURY Witnesses FLoYoE L. .UILLINGHAAE WALTER G. BURNS. 

